Effects of Early and Delayed Cord Clamping on Haematocrit and Serum Bilirubin among Term Neonates at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria
Background: The optimal timing for umbilical cord clamping, whether it is early cord clamping (ECC) immediately after birth or delayed cord clamping (DCC) done after a certain duration or cessation of cord pulsation, remains a topic of ongoing debate. The choice between these approaches has the pote...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Nigerian Journal of Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NJM.NJM_20_25 |
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| Summary: | Background:
The optimal timing for umbilical cord clamping, whether it is early cord clamping (ECC) immediately after birth or delayed cord clamping (DCC) done after a certain duration or cessation of cord pulsation, remains a topic of ongoing debate. The choice between these approaches has the potential to impact neonatal outcomes.
Aim:
The study aimed at comparing the effects of early versus delayed umbilical cord clamping on neonatal haematocrits and serum bilirubin after a normal delivery.
Methods:
This randomised controlled trial involved 178 term babies and mother pairs randomised into the DCC group (A) and ECC group (B). Neonatal haematocrit was measured at 2 and 24 h of life and serum bilirubin at 24 h of life. Other outcomes included neonatal anaemia, polycythaemia, jaundice and maternal post-partum blood loss.
Results:
The neonatal haematocrit was significantly higher in babies with delayed compared ECC at two hour (P = 0.001) and 24 h after birth (P = 0.001). The mean serum total bilirubin 24 h after birth was significantly higher in babies with DCC (P = 0.001). The proportion of neonates with anaemia was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.088), likewise the incidence of polycythaemia (P = 0.146) and post-partum blood loss (P = 0.097).
Conclusion:
The study’s findings underscore the benefits of DCC, as it increased neonatal haematocrit levels without leading to adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes and hence should be considered for adoption as a policy in our environment. |
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| ISSN: | 1115-2613 2667-0526 |